No Longer Coughing, But Still Got Soul
A sign of a true artist is the ability to alter one’s style and retain those intrinsic elements of oneself (and one’s art) that allow integrity to remain intact despite the change. On Haughty Melodic, ex-Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty successfully navigates through musical change while retaining most of what made him, and the now defunct Soul Coughing, such a great act. His skillful and poetic play on words, gaudy lyrical imagery, and ability to produce music that is both playful and honest, shine on his latest effort.Musically, Haughty Melodic is a far cry from the jazzy, experimental, and blissfully erratic car-wreck of sounds that was Soul Coughing. Whereas SC’s music was known for its indie appeal amidst the 90s grunge-dominated scene, Doughty’s latest on Dave Matthew’s ATO Records is an easily accessible mid tempo album which, because of Doughty’s artistry, manages not to alienate/offend ardent SC fans while attracting those unfamiliar with Doughty or his prior work. Steel guitars, piano accompaniment, and a trombone are the norm on this album. More melodic than haughty, Doughty’s cigarette-soaked, raspy voice, accompanied by a full band, churns out tunes dealing with honest introspection and the everyday mundanity of life.
With some songs sounding just a bit too poppy, not every track swims. However, by and large, the album works well. Whether serenading a love interest on “Madeline and Nine” (“But I can give you the constellations / lay down here and we’ll count them all”), reflecting (in a melancholic manner) on hope on the earthy Ben Harper-esque “Grey Ghost,” or addressing a sense of isolation on “White Lexus,” Doughty’s brilliance remains clear despite his change.
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